Par HAENDEL GEORG FRIEDRICH. Messiah occupies a unique position in Handel ’s work. Even if it does not represent the absolute zenith – several other oratorios could challenge it in this respect – its strongly universal character and directness of expression, which appeal to men of all creeds, make it the most renowned work in the whole of the composer’s monumental output. That this oratorio is unquestionably a work of individual character is shown by all its features: its material, which presents liturgical traditions alongside popular elements; its structure, which combines an ever-changing variety of elements from opera, cantata, concerto and anthem; its musicalorganization, which at once unifies and dramatically juxtaposes the various styles. All are united in an extraordinary manner, with great artistry, most accomplished technique and superb invention. Urtext of the Halle Handel Edition Full score and performance material (BA4012), vocal score (BA4012-73 English; BA4012-90 English-German) and study score format 22. 5 x 16. 5cm (TP175) available for sale./ Répertoire / Partition de Poche

Symphonie der Tausend. Par MAHLER GUSTAV. All my earlier symphonies are mere preludes to this one. In the other works everything is subjective tragedy, - this one is a huge giver of joy.' (Gustav Mahler) Gustav Mahler's 'Symphony No. 8' is a work of exceptions. Seen from the outside, this is true of the forces that are used: with its three choirs, eight soloists and an orchestra of far more than one hundred musicians, there are few similar works in the annals of music. This cast of performers determines the second exceptional element of the work, the mix of instrumental and vocal characteristics that makes it to the prototype of a 'vocal symphony', which - as Mahler put it - 'is sung from beginning to end'. In turn, the texts that are sung influence the structure of the whole, replacing, as it were, the usual four movements of a symphony with two strongly divergent 'parts'. And, finally, as if to emphasize this divergence, the texts used - the hymn 'Veni creator spiritus' in the first part and the final scene of Goethe's Faust in the second - are not only written in two languages but also separated in their origins by more than one thousand years. Thus it is a work of extremes, and a work of contradiction. It seems, however, that it was exactly these distinctive features that lifted the symphony above the others and convinced Mahler that his 'Symphony No. 8' was 'the greatest' work 'that I have composed'./ Répertoire / Chœur Mixte [SATB] et Orchestre